TNAG-1068-FCO40-1318-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1981 — Page 116

PRIME MINISTER

Ent

27

SEAD

HICK 243/Rgles

--- RSM Blaker

RECEIVEO

31 MAR

PS POS 51

Cleck

DESK OFFICER •Donate

INDEX

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES NO MAS

PA

MYD Pas 3:13

See

I agree with John Biffen's minute of 20 March about refugees picked up at sea by British vessels.

Since July 1979 some 700 refugees have come to this country as a result of guarantees. The total is much less than we dared hope a couple of years ago and the policy of avoiding any general declaration of principle but yielding to the inevitable in particular cases has proved itself.

I am sure it is right both to continue the existing policy and to avoid any general announcement.

I am sending copies of this minute to Peter Carrington, John Biffen and Sir Robert Armstrong.

horw

27 March 1981